The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is now accepting applications from individuals and organizations to host sponsored pheasant hunts aimed at welcoming new and underrepresented hunters into the sport.
The program, coordinated by DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, offers free, instructional hunting experiences for youth, women, veterans, first-time hunters, people with disabilities, and other groups with limited exposure to hunting. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 10, 2026.
“DEC’s sponsored hunts provide a unique opportunity for beginners to learn about hunting in an instructional and supervised setting, which helps novice hunters grow the skills learned in their required hunter education course,” said Jacqueline Lendrum, Director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “This program is also a great way for organizations to partner with DEC to mentor the next generation of hunters.”
Though these hunts have typically taken place early in the pheasant season, DEC noted that they can also be held after deer season ends, offering mentors the chance to reinforce hunter education skills during the quieter months of the hunting calendar.
The state provides up to 6,000 adult pheasants annually for these hunts. Approved coordinators receive two birds per registered participant at no cost. Hunts must be registered with the DEC at least 45 days before they are held.
Event guidelines and application materials are available on the DEC website. Those interested in attending a sponsored hunt or exploring other mentored hunting events can find updated listings throughout the summer on DEC’s mentored hunting opportunities page.
For more information or to sign up for a webinar on how to host a hunt, contact Reynolds Game Farm at (607) 273-2768 or email [email protected] with the subject line “Sponsored pheasant hunt host.”
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